SOUTHPORT Trinity's return to the Merseyside Alliance League got off to a poor start at The Rookery last Saturday as they lost to Moorfield by 32 runs.

The visitors batted first and made the most of several dropped catches to eventually declare on 150-9.

Magee top scored with 62 runs, while for Trinity the bowling honours went to Jimmy Haynes who grabbed 3-28 and new skipper Kev Murray with 3-52.

Trinity never got to grips with the damp wicket and lost key wickets at regular intervals.

Their only hope came in the form of former St Pauls legend Dom Butler who cracked a patient 70 before running out of partners as they were eventually dismissed for a below par total of 118, with Drane (4-26) and Yearsley (3-38) doing most of the damage for Moorfield.